How to Use a Bow Vise

Compound bows are far too powerful to have their limbs compressed by hand. As such, a bow vise is necessary when preforming work on the bow that requires tension be removed from the cables and string. While styles of bow vices vary, they are all designed to perform the same function of holding the bow stationary while compressing the limbs. Aside from being helpful when changing a bowstring, using a bow vise, also known as a bow press, lets you to safely preform maintenance, repairs and modifications.

Things You'll Need

  • Bow
  • Bow vise
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a bow vise designed for your style of bow. Compound bows with a parallel limb design require a bow vise that has shorter support arms than bows with non-parallel limbs. If you will be working with different styles of bows, select a press that is capable of a wide range of adjustment.

    • 2

      Select a bow vise that will best suit your available work space. Some vises are designed to be bolted or clamped to a table or workbench, while others are freestanding.

    • 3

      Set up the bow vise precisely according the manufacturer's instructions. Failure to set up the vise properly can result in injury should the bow slip from the press while the limbs are compressed.

    • 4

      Set the limbs of the bow on the limb support arms of the vise, with the bow limbs curving upwards.

    • 5

      Adjust the limb support arms on the press. For bows with non-parallel limbs, set the limb support arm position closer to the riser. For parallel limb bows, open the limb support arms so they contact the limbs at their ends, near the cable pulleys.

    • 6

      Close the vise until the top pressure arm or cable, depending on the style of the vise, contacts the opposite sides of the limbs from the limb support arms. Before applying force to the limbs of the bow with the vise, make sure the bow limbs are properly engaged on the support arms of the vise and the pressure arm is in full contact with the opposite sides of the bow limbs.

    • 7

      Apply pressure to the bow limbs by closing the vise until sufficient tension has been released from the cables to allow you to preform the work. When the work is completed, carefully release the pressure from the bow limbs by reversing the process.